Multi-purpose ridge vent system

Abstract

A solar ridge vent includes an elongated laterally flexible panel having edge portions and ventilation grids extending along the edge portions. Channel members extend along the edge portions of the panel and define channels that have channel openings facing inwardly. The channels are sized to receive edges of auxiliary components to hold the auxiliary components on the ridge vent. The auxiliary components may be ridge cap shingles, slate cap shingles, light emitting emergency location panels, or fluid heating panels. In a preferred embodiment, solar power generating panels are configured to be mounted on the ridge vent with its edges held in the channels. A remote electrical box has chargeable batteries, a power inverter, and an AC outlet to provide electrical power in an emergency.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ridge vent system comprising:
 an elongated laterally flexible panel having a central portion and longitudinally extending first and second edge portions, the central panel having a first surface that faces away from a roof when the ridge vent is installed and a second surface; 
 a ventilation grid disposed along the first and second edge portions of the central panel; 
 a first channel member on the first surface of the panel extending along the first edge portion thereof, the first channel member defining a first channel with a channel slot facing the central portion of the flexible panel and providing access to the first channel; 
 a second channel member on the first surface of the panel extending along the second edge portion thereof, the second channel member defining a channel with a channel slot facing the central portion of the flexible panel and providing access to the second channel; 
 the first and second channels being sized to receive edge portions of and hold at least one solar panel attached to the ridge vent; and 
 at least one solar panel covering at least a portion of the first surface of the laterally flexible panel, the solar panel having spaced apart edge portions each extending through the channel slot of and being disposed in a respective one of the first and second channels to hold the at least one solar panel on the ridge vent. 
 
     
     
       2. The ridge vent system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one solar panels has output wires and wherein the first and second channels are further sized to contain the output wires of solar panels held by the channels. 
     
     
       3. The ridge vent system of  claim 1  further comprising a an electrical box located remotely from the ridge vent and containing a power inverter and a power outlet, the at least one solar panel being electrically connected to power inverter in the electrical box to provide usable power at the power outlet. 
     
     
       4. The ridge vent system of  claim 3  further comprising at least one battery in the electrical box, the at least one solar panel being coupled to charge the at least one battery to provide usable power when the at least one solar panel is not able to provide usable power. 
     
     
       5. The ridge vent system of  claim 1  further comprising an emergency location panel covering at least a portion of the first surface of the ridge vent and having spaced apart edges captured within the first and second channels to hold the emergency location panel on the ridge vent, the emergency location panel comprising light emitting elements that can be activated in an emergency to identify to authorities a home experiencing an emergency.